My 4 month old has fever of 100.9, go to ER?

Question

His eyes are blood shot and hazy and he is very irratible. Not acting like himself. Just a concerned momma.

Answer 1

Did he just get his 4 month vaccinations?

Because if he did, then the fever is normal. Give him .8ml of infant tylenol. If the irritability continues (crying over 3 hours) then bring him to the hospital.

It happened to me last month. I called my ped. 24 hour # and the hosp. staff told me it was normal. He was prob. sore from the shots.

To put your mind at ease call your ped.

Answer 2

Call the ER, or most insurances have a 24 hour nurse on call. I would wait to see if it goes to 102. 100.9 is not a high temp. But it also depends on how you are taking the temperature and if it is the most accurate way. Under the arm you add 1 degree. In the rectum is most accurate.

blood shot eyes could be from being tired and cranky do to teething.

A fever is the bodies natural response to rid it of infection. By giving meds to reduce it (unless it is very high like 103) does not let the body do it's work.

I have avoided medicines unless absolutely necessary and my daughter is extremely healthy.

At this time of night, the ER would be more stressful for him than beneficial, again unless the temp goes to 102 -103.

I would definitely try to contact a professional rather than asking here.

Also you may be able to contact your pediatrician if they have a service that will contact them in an emergency (I don't think this is an emergency) situation. But mine has called me back late in the evening when I had concerns.

Answer 3

Please don't panic.

You should call your doctor on call to ask whether you should go to the ER tonight or go to the doctor first thing in the morning. It really doesn't sound like an emergency, but I'm sure it's hard for you to see your baby so uncomfortable.

100.9 is not a very high fever, but it sounds like his other symptoms have you concerned.

Here's a link to information about fevers in infants: http://www.askdrsears.com/html/8/T082100.asp

Also, Dr. Sears suggests NOT giving a fever reducer until you talk to the doctor. They may want the baby evaluated without the medicine already in his system.

Best wishes.

Answer 4

Is it a rectal temp, under arm, oral?

If you're seriously concerned, as much about behavior as temp, go ahead and go to the ER. Call your pediatrician while you're en route.

And I agree with the above person that said to give some infant fever reducer (if you have not already).

Answer 5

You're going to get a lot better info on http://webmd.com than here for something like that.

From a CPR First Aid certified guard, I'd say that if the temperature doesn't subside within 30 minutes of giving him Children's Tylenol via an eye dropper - you need a pediatrician as soon as possible.

Answer 6

That's not a very high fever. I would give the baby some Tylenol and call your Pediatrician's answering service, he should call you back shortly to discuss the issue and help you make an informed decision.

Answer 7

with just a fev of 100.9 I would say not wait till it is 101 or above but with blood shot hazy eyes, irritability, yes take him to the dr.

Answer 8

Yes you need to take the baby to the ER. I would give him some fever reducer. Something else that works great is a good rag placed on the for head and under arm pits.Hope this helps. Hope he feels better.

Answer 9

the rule of thumb is that anything under 102 is low grade and baby tylenol is fine if there cranky and uncomfortable but 102 and over is a sign of infection and i would call your pedatrician and ask whether you should take him to the hospital or not and in any case i would give him the tylenol to help bring down the fever.

Answer 10

Try giving him Tylonel or Motrin wait a hour or so and if the fever does not got down then call your doctors office. Also make sure he is not teething.